Unveiling Meerab [Tere Bin FF]

55. maryam ki shaadi

Author's Note: Hello everyone! This chapter is a whole 31 pages (16.7k words)  -- and I decided to not break it up. So tadaaaaa! I hope y'all enjoy this chapter, see you on the other side! Please note we had a small time jump in this chapter (from the end of July to mid-November).

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Meerab was darting from corner to corner of the garden, checking on all the last-minute details, her thoughts moving faster than her feet. She was checking on the last-minute details with Maa Begum for Maryam's combined dholki, mayoun, and mehendi.

Strings of twinkling fairy lights and flowers hung from the clear large canopy, illuminating the garden with a soft, golden glow as the sun began to set, the vibrant floral arrangements catching the light, making the colors pop against the deep green of the lawns. The weather was perfect for the mid-November evening, cool but not cold, just enough of a breeze to make it comfortable for everyone to wear their lavish outfits without worrying about feeling too warm or too chilly. Meerab briefly thought of her own ensemble, still hanging in her room, waiting for her to slip into it.

But there was still too much to do.

With some pleading and relentless persuasion, they had managed to get Maa Begum to bend her ironclad rule of no men at these types of events, combining the events for Maryam and Shahryar. It was only fair—he was Maryam's groom, after all.

Meerab looked up again, checking the flower arrangements, marigold flowers in white, yellow and orange lined the entrance and covered the canopy where the guests would gather. Rich fabrics draped over tables and couches that seemed to belong in an architecture magazine rather than a garden, each piece carefully chosen to reflect the elegance and festivity of the evening. Lanterns hung around the edges of the canopy, adding a soft glow that would only intensify as night fell.

At the far end of the garden, a raised stage had been set up for Maryam and Shahryar, a beautifully decorated flower-covered jhoola waiting for the bride and groom. It was picture-perfect, with petals and vines trailing down, and soft cushions arranged on either side of the swing to add to its charm. Just a few steps away, the side stage held the dholkis, the traditional drums ready for the women to play, surrounded by plush cushions where guests could sit and sing traditional songs, adding to the festive energy.

Across from the dholki stage, the mayoun and mehendi items were neatly arranged—turmeric bowls, intricate platters, and henna cones were laid out, waiting to be used. It was all set, and Meerab had to admit, it looked perfect.

Just as she was about to take another round of the garden, checking for anything she might have missed, Maa Begum zoomed past her, her face showing no signs of stress despite the grand scale of the event.

"Meerab, you should finish getting ready too," Maa Begum called over her shoulder, not stopping for even a second as she moved toward a group of women giving instructions about the mehendi.

Meerab tugged at the rollers in her hair, her makeup already done but her outfit still waiting upstairs. "I'm going, I just need to tell Mai to—" she began, looking toward one of the servers by the drinks table.

"You don't need to do anything," Maa Begum interrupted, her voice firm but affectionate, turning just enough to give her a look that brooked no argument. "Go get ready."

"But—" Meerab started to protest, but Maa Begum was already heading towards the stage area, her mind clearly on the final touches.

"Go make yourself look perfect as you always do," Maa Begum called out as she walked closer, and then, as she passed Meerab, gently pushed her off towards the house.